Health Sector Programme Support phase III

The current Danish support to the Kenyan health sector is planned through the Health Sector Programme Support III (HSPS III) which guides the work of Danida through the period from 2012 to 2016. HSPS III aims at improving the equitable access to - and provision of quality health care by the health sector in Kenya and has special focus on maternal mortality and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Mother and daughter, Njoro Health Centre, Nakuru

(Foto: Stine Ilum)

The support under the third phase of Danidas support to the Kenyan health sector amounts to 430 danish kroner and will build on past support that the Danish Government has provided to Kenya for over 30 years. A strategic choice has been taken in this programme to limit the number of activities and roll out the activities nation-wide, choosing interventions where Danida has a comparative advantage. At the same time there is a more direct focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights due to the stagnant maternal mortality indicators and in accordance with the new Danida strategy.

HSPS III will run from January 2012 to December 2016 and the support is intended to enhance the national policy dialogue and strengthen systems in order to improve service delivery. HSPS III will consolidate the areas supported under the previous health sector programme (HSPS II) with three components.

Component 1: Support to Primary Health Care

Sub-component 1.1.: Support to the Health Sector Services Fund (HSSF). The Fund is a joint basket fund between Danida, The World Bank and the Government of Kenya which transfers funds directly from central level to dispensaries and health centres.

Sub-component 1.2.: Health system strengthening. This sub-component includes international technical assistance to the HSSF in order to build capacity in accounting and financial reporting, assistance to strengthen voice and accountability and the set-up of a local monitor and social responsibility system at community level. Further there will be provided assistance in order to improve sector coordination by supporting the sector wide approach (SWAp), the restructuring of the ministries and the establishment of the new counties after the implementation of the new constitution.

Component 2: Supply of Essential Medicines and Medical Supplies(EMMS)

This component aims at improving availiability of essential medicines and medical supplies (EMMS) in dispensaries and health centres and rolling out the demand driven pull-system nation wide.

Sub-component 2.1.: Support to Essential Medicine and Medical Supply Basket. The support to this component will be implemented through a joint basket fund with the World Bank and the Government of Kenya. The essential medicines and medical supplies supported by Danida will include basic drugs for a facility, e.g. paracetamol, antibiotics, anti-diarrhoea, gloves, syringes etc.

Sub-component 2.2.: Support to Essential Medicine and Medical Systems. Under the demand driven pull-system, the facilities order the drugs needed by the particular facility. Opposed to receiving a universal medicine kit. The past years Danida has worked on the roll-out of the system and now it is finally country wide. The pull-system has led to a decrease in wastages of medicines and medical supplies, and it ensures that the facilities gets enough of the particular drugs needed depending on the disease pattern in the area. Danida will provide technical assistance to support the pharmaceutical planning.

Component 3: Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights

Under this component the programme supports sexual and reproductive health and rights. This is done in partnership with the two NGO's African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) and Gender Violence Recovery Center (GVRC). The two implementing NGO's have been selected based on their expertise and experience in the area of sexual and reproductive health and rights including gender based violence.

AMREF is working to improve reproductive health and increase access to sexual rights among girls, women, youth and men in hard-to-reach areas in Kenya. GVRC works with gender based violence. They work with medical treatment and psychosocial support, but they also do more prevensive work in order to create awareness of gender based violence.

The support from the Danish government will be channelled through the Kenyan government’s financial systems in line with the principles of the Paris Declaration and thus encourage stronger government ownership. This is also expected to foster strong cooperation with Danida.

For further information on the Health Sector Support Programme Phase III and its implementation follow the links to our partners and the programme document.